Inaugural Day of Service: CSUDH Making a Difference in Our Communities

Students, faculty, staff, friends and neighbors came together in a massive effort to beautify their surrounding communities during California State University, Dominguez Hills’ (CSUDH)first-ever Day of Service.

To kick off the week leading up to the inauguration of the university’s 10th president, Dr. Willie J. Hagan, nearly 250 volunteers lent their time and skills on April 26 helping to beautify a local historical landmark and areas both on and off campus, install an ocean-friendly community garden, and help rebuild areas of Long Beach.

“The Day of Service represents what’s best about this institution,” said President Hagan during his opening remarks on campus. “We’re all in this together, and we [CSUDH] were put in this area to serve the community.”

Welcoming volunteers, Carson Mayor Jim Dear elaborated on how the university was integral to the city of Carson’s success.

“This is a great learning institution, but it’s so much more than that,” he said. “It’s a ‘communi-versity.’”

Volunteers spent their day spread throughout the South Bay, engaging in activities such as beautifying the Child Development Center on campus, Stevenson Park in Carson, as well as cleaning the grotto at the historic Rancho Dominguez Adobe in Compton, and participating in National Rebuilding Day at the Century Village at Cabrillo in Long Beach and its Elizabeth Ann Seton residence.

Hagan also held a ‘ground breaking’ ceremony at University Housing to commemorate an ocean friendly community garden that will be installed thanks to the West Basin Municipal Water District, which under the leadership of Director Ron Smith contributed $40,000 toward the garden, matched by University Housing.

“This garden is a shining example of our partnership with CSUDH,” Smith said. “It shows that individually we can do great things, but together we can do something truly incredible.”

In addition, Carson city officials dedicated a community flower bed with a plaque inscription in honor of Hagan at Stevenson Park, as he and other volunteers participated in adopt-a-park activities. In return, Hagan presented the city with the Outstanding Community Partner Award, showing the university’s commitment to the City of Carson and its residents.

“I don’t see the university as distinct from the community or having borders,” Hagan told the gathered crowd of volunteers and city officials. “We’re a part of them and they are a part of us.”

Dinah Burnside, a freshman physical therapy student at CSU Dominguez Hills, cleaned the grass area of the park, raking leaves and painting chipped park benches. As a Los Angeles native, she said she’s never truly seen how involved a school can be with its surrounding community until she arrived at CSUDH.

“I like how the university really makes an effort to give back to the community,” Burnside said. “It’s not just a great way to make new friends and meet new people, it’s a great way to get involved.”

Burnside and other volunteers planted a tree in honor of the commemoration at Stevenson Park, while volunteers at other locations such as the Child Development Center at CSU Dominguez Hills sanitized toys and created a community garden on the playground.

“Our Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens our communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and demonstrates that, above all, Dominguez Hills is making a difference,” said Cheryl McKnight, event organizer and director of the Office of Service-Learning, Internships and Community Engagement (SLICE) at CSU Dominguez Hills.

The CSUDH Day of Service was sponsored by the CSUDH Office of Service-Learning, Internships and Community Engagement (SLICE), CSUDH Associated Students, Inc., and Office of the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

"MARCH 5 FIRST THURSDAY ARTWALK– FREE ONE-HOUR GUIDED GALLERY TOUR AT 6:30PM This walking tour highlights the diverse talents of artists in open studios and galleries throughout the San Pedro Waterfront Arts District.
The tour begins at the San…"

To find out where you vote, click here -https://www.lavote.net/locator/ - and put in your address. If you want your elected representative to care about your concerns and the issues in your community, you need to vote. Five percent of eligible voters decide the election and the areas they represent get more attention. Your vote helps those who are working to improve the community because it shows the people care.So for you and for…See More

To find out where you vote, click here -https://www.lavote.net/locator/ - and put in your address. If you want your elected representative to care about your concerns and the issues in your community, you need to vote. Five percent of eligible voters decide the election and the areas they represent get more attention. Your vote helps those who are working to improve the community because it shows the people care.So for you and for…See More

For Immediate Release Contact: Bonnie Barchichat 714.914.2565 O’ LUCKY YOU! Celebrating the Irish In Us ALL Bonnie Barchichat’s Senior Comedy Afternoons will be having it’s next show called “O’ Lucky You”. It’s a show with an Irish twist in honor of the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day on Sunday, March…See More

Thu, Mar 12, 19, 26 Apr 2 @ 8pm; Sun, Mar 15* & 22 @ 2pm ; Wed, Mar 25 & Apr 1 @ 8pmNothing is off limits after the death of a friend in this golf course comedy.It’s the day after a friend’s wake. Three women gather for a round of golf in honor of their recently departed fourth. On the tee they are joined by her old friend – a stranger to the three. During the next 18 holes, secrets, surprises, and confessions unravel as the women discuss life, love, men, sex, children and careers in…See More

Seaside Studios San Pedro presents a Glass Art Workshop with renowned artist Paula Radke. Ms Radke has had featured workshops and specialty beads at many national bead shows for over 10+years and has been a featured artist for Michael's Craft Stores. She will be at Seaside Studios to teach her self-developed techniques using glass clay.Fee is $100 which includes all materials and lunch and beverages.Reservations can be made online at…See More

This Valentine's Day our local BodyRocc Crossfit Gym located at 167 N. Bandini St, San Pedro, CA will be hosting the "Snatches for Surgery" fundraising event for one very special little girl, Olivia Valente, who is a fighter against Hypo Plastic Left Heart Syndrome. Please click on the link below to read her story and donate to a great cause. Thank you for your time…See More